South-central Nebraska pursuit ends in fiery crash; one dead

A short traffic pursuit ended in south-central Nebraska with a fiery crash that left one person dead.

The Nebraska State Patrol reports a trooper attempted to stop a pick-up for running a stop sign and driving recklessly at 6th and Grant Streets in Lexington shortly after midnight. The driver took off, driving southbound on Highway 283, the trooper in pursuit.

The patrol reports the driver, 22-year-old Destry Swartz of Coats, KN, ran a red light at the intersection of Highway 283 and Cattlemen Driver, colliding with another pick-up, which burst into flames upon impact. The driver of the second truck, who has not been identified, died at the scene.

Swartz and a 17-year-old male passenger from Lexington were not injured.

Swartz has been jailed in Dawson County on charges of felony motor vehicle homicide, second offense driving under the influence, felony operation of a motor vehicle to avoid arrest and willful reckless driving.